Compositions for enhancing brain activity

ABSTRACT

At least one of alertness, attention, focus and concentration may be enhanced in a person in need thereof, by a method including a step of administering a composition to the person, where the composition includes:a) between 20 mg and 5 g per dose of mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol sufficient to provide between 20 mg and 5 g mangiferin or norathyriol per dose, wherein said extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol is a mangiferin-containing extract of a plant species in a genus selected from the group consisting of Mangifera, Salacia, Cyclopia, Hypericum, Canscora, Fagraea, Gentiana, Hoppea, Swertia, Hypericum, Polygala, Zizyphus, and mixtures thereof; andb) caffeine.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

This application is a continuation application claiming priority to:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/318,457, filed Jan. 17, 2019, which is a § 371 national stage application based on:

PCT International Application No. PCT/IB2017/001095, filed Jul. 19, 2017, which claims priority to:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/214,263, filed Jul. 19, 2016.

The contents of each prior application are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to compositions which enhance brain activities and prevent drowsiness without causing undesired physical or psychological side effects. This invention further relates to compositions which mimic the activity of caffeine on the brain, and to their use as a caffeine replacement.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

This disclosure relates to a composition that increases attention, alertness, concentration and memory and serves as a substitute or reducer of caffeine or theobromine in energy enhancing products and compositions. This new combination contains a plant extract of Tigernut, also known as Chufa (Cyperus esculentus), and an extract containing mangiferin which might be of different origin. For example, the mangiferin-containing extract might be a Mango leaf extract, Honey bush tea, or an extract of coffee leaves.

In stressful or tiring situations, people frequently feel exhausted, depressed and tired and need a sustained boost of energy to increase concentration, attention, alertness and mood. Mainly because of the alertness and mental energy enhancing effect provided by the caffeine and theobromine contained in coffee and cacao, 2.1 billion cups of coffee are consumed per day and 7.2 million tons of chocolate per year worldwide. These stimulants of the Central Nervous System (CNS) are used by athletes and military personnel to increase alertness and concentration, endurance, performance, reaction time and the intensity of training session, and to reduce drowsiness of shift workers and by students in schools and universities to improve concentration, learning and memory, and to enhance mood and control stress. Desired effects of the composition begin approximately half to one hour after consumption, and the effect experienced from a moderate dose usually subsides in about three or four hours. A cup of coffee typically contains 80-175 mg of caffeine, depending on how the coffee is prepared, the source, e.g., brand, of fresh or instant coffee, or the variety of “bean” (seed) used. Additionally, CNS stimulants, including caffeine, can result in significant improvements in sports performance, including in training and endurance.

However, caffeine is also addictive and, like other products containing caffeine such as chocolate and cola, which are consumed in large quantities and included in energy enhancing products, excessive caffeine consumption is related to serious health concerns. The excessive use of caffeine or theobromine causes nervousness, agitation, arrhythmias, bradycardia, tachycardia, increased blood pressure and vasoconstriction, leading to mild anxiety, jitteriness, insomnia, increased sleep latency and reduced coordination. Due to these side effects, for example, the UK Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake, out of prudence, to less than 200 mg of caffeine a day—the equivalent of two cups of instant coffee, or one and a half to two cups of fresh coffee.

Neurotransmitter receptors and transporters represent main targets of drugs in the central nervous system. Interaction of drugs with these molecules induces a signaling cascade, which finally results in the control of ion channel conductance. Since the electric activity of single neurons depends on the set of momentarily active ion channels, communication between neurons is governed by channel activity. Electrical field potentials of the brain reflect the net electrical information from larger local networks of electrically active neurons, by representing the interaction of drugs with their targets within the concert of neurotransmission including complex modulation from feedback loops. Frequency analysis of the field potentials in the presence of drugs leads to the so-called electropharmacogram, which has been widely used to characterize drug actions on rat and human brains. Comparison of the electropharmacograms of novel compositions can be made with the electropharmacograms of reference pharmaceuticals and botanicals, since similarity of electropharmacogram between novel composition and reference compounds indicates similarity in CNS activity, and enables understanding of the health applications of the composition in humans. Dimpfel, W. 2015. Drug Discovery and Translational Medicine. Freienbrink Herstellung und Verlag. ISBN: 978-3-7386-70394, pp. 47-54.

CNS stimulants have been demonstrated to influence brain wave activity. It is well known in the art that the attenuation or stimulation pattern, and type of brain wave activity reflects underlying brain activities including alertness, attention, concentration, and the anatomical location of the activity can also be related to specific brain functions, for example activation of memory through activation of the hippocampus. Sleepiness and/or fatigue, for example, have been shown to be correlated to a significant increase of alpha wave activity and a decrease of gamma wave activity. Papadelis et al., Proceedings of the 28th IEEEEMBS Annual International Conference, New York City, USA, Aug. 30-Sep. 3, 2006, pp. 6201-6204. Increased gamma-band EEG activity is associated with states of high arousal, alertness, or attention. Decreases in alpha- and beta-activity in the EEG generally correlate to an increase in neurotransmission, resulting in increased alertness.

Increased gamma wave activity in the brain has been shown to correlate to successful memory formation. Increases in alpha wave activity, in contrast, have been shown to correlate to decreased memory performance. Sederberg et al., Cerebral Cortex, Vol. 17, pp. 1190-1196 (2007). Since the hippocampus is involved in transmitting information from short-term memory to long-term memory, CNS stimulants which increase gamma activity in the hippocampus and/or reduce alpha activity in the hippocampus are desirable for increasing long-term memory.

The present disclosure provides compositions useful for replacing or reducing caffeine/theobromine levels in food or beverages while retaining the alertness, attention, concentration and memory benefits of caffeine/theobromine. The compositions disclosed herein do not cause nervousness, anxiety, agitation, arrhythmia, bradycardia, tachycardia, increased blood pressure or vasoconstriction, but do offer the CNS-activating effects associated with caffeine or theobromine.

The compositions disclosed herein provide increased alertness, attention, focus and well-being over a relatively extended period of time, but are substantially free of side effects and have no addictive potential, so they can be consumed long-term in any person or mammal.

The compositions disclosed herein may be used to provide food and beverage products including shakes, smoothies, beverages, chocolate and energy-drinks with alertness enhancing qualities without the known drawbacks of caffeine or theobromine.

The foregoing objects and advantages of the invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the various exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages that can be realized. Thus, these and other objects and advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the various exemplary embodiments, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variation that may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel methods, arrangements, combinations, and improvements herein shown and described in various exemplary embodiments.

SUMMARY

In light of the present need for substitutes for caffeine and related compounds, a brief summary of various disclosed embodiments is presented. Some simplifications and omissions may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the disclosed subject matter, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments, adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventive concepts, will follow in later sections.

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a combination of two natural products for caffeine replacement or reduction, containing an extract of Cyperus esculentus and mangiferin. The combination has an effect comparable to the CNS stimulant effect provided by caffeine or theobromine, but does not possess the negative drawbacks of caffeine or theobromine. This combination is not addictive. It can be combined with numerous natural compounds or plant extracts for additional benefits, or flavoring or can be added into existing formats, formulations and food products in several ways, being for example a liquid or a powder, granules, a gum or a sachet.

The ingredients of the described invention are a water or ethanolic extract of whole Tigernut or Tigernut peel, and pure mangiferin or a plant extract standardized to mangiferin, derived by extraction of, for example, mango leaves, mango fruit, or honey bush tea. These products can form part of different products and can be combined in different ratios and added to other ingredients.

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for enhancing at least one of alertness, attention, concentration, and memory in a person in need thereof, by administering an herbal composition to said person. The herbal composition may comprise an effective amount of an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel, Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the herbal composition may comprise an effective amount of mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol. In other embodiments, the herbal composition may comprise a mixture of an effective amount of an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel, Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof; and an effective amount of mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol.

In various embodiments, the extract of Cyperus esculentus peel and/or Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof is an aqueous extract, an alcoholic extract, or a hydro alcoholic extract. The extract of Cyperus esculentus may be a hydro alcoholic extract of peel of Cyperus esculentus rhizomes. The extract of Cyperus esculentus peel and/or Cyperus esculentus rhizomes may be used in an amount of between 20 mg and 20 g per dose.

In various embodiments, the herbal composition contains mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol, used in an amount of between 20 mg and 5 g per dose. In some embodiments, the herbal composition contains an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol in an amount sufficient to provide between 20 mg and 5 g mangiferin or norathyriol per dose. The extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol may be a mangiferin-containing extract of a plant species in a genus selected from the group consisting of Mangifera, Salacia, Cyclopia, Hypericum, Canscora, Fagraea, Gentiana, Hoppea, Coffea, Swertia, Hypericum, Polygala, Zizyphus, Coffea, and mixtures thereof.

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for enhancing at least one of alertness, attention, concentration and memory in a person in need thereof, by administering a herbal composition to said person, by administering a mixture of an effective amount of:

-   -   a) an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel, Cyperus esculentus         rhizomes, or a combination thereof; and     -   b) an effective amount of mangiferin or an extract comprising         mangiferin, where the ratio of (a) to (b) is between about 1:1         and about 50:1, about 1:1 and 30:1, about 2:1 and 25:1, about         1:1 and 20:1, about 4:1 and 15:1, about 10:1 and 15:1, or about         12:1. In various embodiments, the effective amount of (a) is         between 20 mg and 20 g per dose; and the effective amount of         said mangiferin or said mangiferin-containing extract is between         5 mg and 5 g per dose. In some embodiments, the mixture of (a)         and (b) is provided as a unit dose containing between about 10         mg and about 20 g per dose.

In various embodiments, the herbal compositions disclosed herein contain:

-   -   a) a herbal composition comprising:         -   i. an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel, Cyperus esculentus             rhizomes, or a combination thereof;         -   ii. an effective amount of mangiferin or an extract             comprising mangiferin; or         -   iii. a mixture of (i) and (ii); in combination with:     -   b) an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of B         group vitamins, caffeine, citicoline, citrulline, choline,         curcumin, huperzine, luteolin, ibogaine, magnesium,         N-methyltyramine, oleamide, omega-3 fatty acids, octopamine,         phosphatidlyserine, phosphatidlyserine, quercetin, rutin,         resveratrol, synephrine, taurine, taxifoline, theanine,         theobromine, xanthohumol, yangonin, yohimbine, ecdysteroids         (20HE) extracts of plant species of the genera Aframomum,         Aloysia, Alpinia, Astragalus, Bacopa, Centella, Citrus, Coca,         Cola, Curcuma, Coffea, Celastrus, Camellia, Eleutherococcus,         Ephedra, Euterpe, Garcinia, Ginkgo, Ganoderma, Glycyrrhiza,         Icarine, Ilex, Irvingia, Kaempferia, Ocimum, Paullinia, Panax,         Pfaffia, Piper Pueraria, Rhodiola, Rhaponticum, Sida, Sideritis,         Tabernanthe, Theobroma, Vitis, Withania, Zingiber, Zizyphus, and         mixtures thereof.

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for maintaining the attention, alertness, concentration and memory-enhancing effect of a product comprising caffeine or theobromine, while reducing side effects from the caffeine or theobromine. The method comprises replacing all or part of the caffeine or theobromine in the product with a composition comprising:

-   -   a) an effective amount of an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel,         Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof, where the         effective amount may be between about 20 mg and about 20,000 mg,         between about 100 mg and about 5000 mg, between about 500 mg and         about 4000 mg, or between about 1000 mg and about 3000 mg of the         extract;     -   b) an effective amount of mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract         comprising mangiferin or norathyriol, where the effective amount         may be between about 1 mg and about 50 mg, between about 1 mg         and about 35 mg, between about 1 and about 20 mg, between about         5 and about 15 mg, or between about 8 and about 12 mg of the         extract; or     -   c) a synergistic mixture of (a) and (b). In various embodiments,         each milligram of caffeine or theobromine removed from the         product comprising caffeine or theobromine is replaced by         between 20 mg and 200 mg of the extract of Cyperus esculentus         peel and/or rhizomes, and/or between 1 and 20 mg of mangiferin,         norathyriol, or an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol.

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for enhancing sports performance through administration of a composition comprising:

-   -   a) an effective amount of an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel,         Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof, where the         effective amount may be between about 20 mg and about 20,000 mg,         between about 100 mg and about 5000 mg, between about 500 mg and         about 4000 mg, or between about 1000 mg and about 3000 mg of the         extract;     -   b) an effective amount of mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract         comprising mangiferin or norathyriol,         -   where the effective amount may be between about 1 mg and             about 50 mg, between about 1 mg and about 35 mg, between             about 1 and about 20 mg, between about 5 and about 15 mg, or             between about 8 and about 12 mg of mangiferin or             norathyriol; or     -   c) a synergistic mixture of (a) and (b). In various embodiments,         each milligram of caffeine or theobromine removed from the         product comprising caffeine or theobromine is replaced by         between 20 mg and 200 mg of the extract of Cyperus esculentus         peel and/or rhizomes, and/or between 1 and 20 mg of mangiferin,         norathyriol, or an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol.

Either or both of chufa and mangiferin can be used to replace or reduce caffeine in sports performance products. Both extracts are anticipated, through enhancing attention, alertness, and reaction time to have sports performance-enhancing activities. These extracts are expected to enhance concentration and endurance in much the same manner as caffeine. However, these extracts have been demonstrated to lack the undesirable side effects associated with caffeine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand various exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows encephalographic (EEG) studies on the combination of Cyperus esculentus peel, 30% ethanol extract (150 mg/kg), and Mango leaf extract (60% Mangiferin; 25 mg/kg); Mango leaf extract (60% Mangiferin; 25 mg/kg); Cyperus esculentus peel, 30% ethanol extract (100 mg/kg); caffeine (1 mg/kg); Guarana (15 mg/kg); Citicolin (48 mg/kg); and Mangiferin (25 mg/kg); and

FIGS. 2A to 2D show the impact on the neural activity in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of saline control (FIG. 2A), Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, 30% ethanol extract (FIG. 2B), Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin (FIG. 2C) and a mixture of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, 30% ethanol extract, and Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin (FIG. 2D).

FIGS. 3A to 3C show the impact of a mixture of chufa peel extract and Mangifera indica extract on alpha waves in human subjects, using EEG data recorded under the recording conditions: “Eyes open” (FIG. 3A) the Stroop test (FIG. 3B) and fixation on a cross (FIG. 3C). Each graph in FIGS. 3A to 3C shows, from left to right, gamma, theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2, and gamma waves.

In the figures, statistical significance is represented in terms of p-values, as follows:

p<0.10: *.

p<0.05: **.

p<0.01: ***.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The current application relates to herbal compositions for enhancing at least one of alertness, attention, concentration and memory in a person in need thereof, comprising administering a composition to said person, where the composition comprises:

-   -   a) an effective amount of an extract of Cyperus esculentus;     -   b) an effective amount of mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract         comprising mangiferin or norathyriol; or     -   c) a synergistic combination of (a) and (b).

In the current application, the term “about” encompasses normal variability in the recited amounts. In the context of an effective amount of a biologically active ingredient, the term “about” means that the actual amount of a dosage form is between 80% and 125%, between 90% and 110%, or between 95% and 105% of a stated value. In the context of a ratio between biologically active ingredients, the term “about” means ±20%, ±10%, or ±5% of the stated value.

In the current application, the term “a person in need thereof” refers to any person or human subject in need of improved alertness, attention, concentration, and/or enhanced memory. Such person or human subjects may be children, adolescents, adults, or elderly persons. Such person or human subjects may be athletes in need of improving athletic performance. Persons in need of treatment or supplementation to provide improved alertness, attention and concentration may be shift workers, medical personnel, military personnel, long distance drivers, people with Attention Deficit Disorder, or people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Persons in need of treatment to provide improved memory may be persons suffering from cognitive decline in healthy aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's disease.

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to herbal compositions for enhancing alertness, attention, concentration and/or memory, comprising an effective amount of an extract of Cyperus esculentus. The extract of Cyperus esculentus may be an extract of the entire plant, or of any plant part. The plant part of Cyperus esculentus to be extracted may be the leaf, peel, root, rhizome, stem, tuber, or a combination thereof. The extract of Cyperus esculentus may be an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel, Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, a peel derived from Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof. The plant part of Cyperus esculentus may be extracted with water, an organic solvent, or a mixture thereof, or by subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide. The organic extraction solvent may be a polar aprotic solvent, such as DMSO, acetone, or a mixture thereof; or a polar protic solvent, such as a lower alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In various embodiments, the extract of Cyperus esculentus is an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel, Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, a peel derived from Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof, derived by extraction with water, a lower alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof. In some embodiments, the extract of Cyperus esculentus is an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel, Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, a peel derived from Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, derived by extraction with a hydroalcoholic mixture of water and ethanol.

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to herbal compositions for enhancing alertness, attention, concentration, and/or memory, comprising mangiferin or norathyriol. Mangiferin has a structure of formula Ia, where R is a1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol ring. Norathyriol is an aglycone of mangiferin, and has a structure of formula Ib, where R is hydroxyl. Unless otherwise stated, the term mangiferin is here defined as encompassing:

-   -   mangiferin as a pure compound, where “pure” is defined as         meaning the compound is at least 90% mangiferin, at least 95%         mangiferin, at least 98% mangiferin, or at least 99.5%         mangiferin; or     -   a composition comprising at least 90% by weight of a mixture of         mangiferin and norathyriol.

Mangiferin is a xanthonoid polyphenol. Mangiferin is found in several botanicals, including extracts of mango fruit, mango peel, mango bark, mango leaf, as well as in Cyclopia species (Honeybush tea) and species in the genus Salacia. Mangiferin has acetylcholinesterase inhibiting activity, an activity useful in improving cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease.

Mangiferin, a xanthonoid, is a natural phenolic compound formed from the xanthone backbone. If we refer to Mangiferin, its aglycone norathyriol is always included as an alternative ingredient. Mangiferin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that has been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidant effects as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, immune-modulatory and anti-microbial activities. Prevention of stress-induced effects related to neurodegenerative diseases, reduction of neurological brain deficits and a positive effect on injured neurons has been reported with mangiferin, indicating that mangiferin may play a role in pathologies related to neuroinflammation and oxidative damage. Mangiferin may also enhance recognition memory and improve memory deficits, while the inhibition of MAO_(A) seems to be responsible for its anti-depressant-like effect. No effects indicating an increase of attention, alertness, concentration, reaction time or wellbeing have been described in the literature

Mangiferin of the invention is preferably extracted from a plant containing Mangiferin. Excellent sources of the desired material are Mangifera Indica (fruit or leaf) or Honey bush tea, which are preferably standardized to a concentration of 20-70% mangiferin, depending on the raw material. But it can be obtained from other sources, including plant species of the genera Mangifera, Salacia, Cyclopia, Hypericum, Canscora, Fagraea, Gentiana, Hoppea, Coffea, Swertia, Hypericum, Polygala, Zizyphus, and Coffea.

Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus), a crop of the sedge family widespread across the world, is a typical Spanish food found on markets and in the supermarket. In Spain, the milky extract of Tigernut (i.e., “horchata de chufa”), a non-alcoholic beverage, has an annual economic impact of 60 million Euro. Tigernut is rich in fiber, proteins, sugars, oleic acid and glucose, as well as in phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins C and E. Tigernut is useful for enhancing blood circulation, preventing heart disease, and reducing the risk of colon cancer. No attention, alertness, concentration or memory increasing effect of chufa has been described in the scientific literature.

Whole Tigernut and Tigernut peel aqueous and 30% ethanolic extracts contain high amounts of fat and carbohydrates, but no detectable alkaloids or flavonoids. The extracts have a very pleasant and sweet taste, so that no restriction due to taste has to be made. Oral ingestion of 4 g of Tigernut extract provides a smooth increase in mental energy as well as a calming effect.

It has now been found in accordance with the present invention that the combination of Tigernut and Mangiferin serves to moderate the bitter taste and unusual flavor of Mangiferin. Furthermore, the electropharmacogram of the combination looks strikingly similar to the electropharmacogram of caffeine (FIG. 1). Gamma waves, related to alertness, attention, and memory (FIG. 2D), were increased synergistically 20-30 minutes after oral ingestion of the combination. While gamma waves can also relate to motion, motion sensors showed no change in motion, so the increase in gamma waves can be related to alertness, attention and memory. This effect on gamma waves lasted for the surprisingly long duration of 5 hours and was only seen in the combination; such increases were not observed upon administration of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome extract alone (FIG. 2B) or mangiferin alone (FIG. 2C). No secondary effects comparable to those usually related to caffeine were observed in a human study (n=9). Besides, the invention resulted in a synergistic attenuation of Hippocampus brain waves, representing an activation of neurotransmission, as shown in rats (FIG. 2D).

Mangiferin and its aglycone metabolite norathyriol may be included in the disclosed compositions as pure compounds, or as components of an extract of a plant species in a genus selected from the group consisting of Mangifera, Salacia, Cyclopia, Hypericum, Canscora, Fagraea, Gentiana, Hoppea, Coffea, Swertia, Hypericum, Polygala, Zizyphus, Coffea and mixtures thereof. The plant species contain mangiferin and/or norathyriol, and may be extracted with water, an aqueous base, a polar protic organic solvent, a polar aprotic organic solvent, or a mixture thereof. In various embodiments, the plant species comprises mangiferin, and is extracted with water, a lower alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof.

In various embodiments, the herbal composition contains mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol, used in an amount of between 20 mg and 5 g per dose. The herbal composition may contain an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol of between 20 mg and 5 g per dose. If the concentration of mangiferin and/or norathyriol in the extract is known, the extract may be provided in an amount sufficient to provide between 20 mg and 5 g mangiferin or norathyriol per dose. Thus, for example, if an extract of a plant of the genus Mangifera contains 30% mangiferin, the extract may be provided in an amount of between 20 mg and 5 g per dose, based on the weight of the extract. Alternatively, the Mangifera extract may be administered in an amount of between 66.7 mg and 16.7 grams per dose, thus providing between 20 mg and 5 g mangiferin per dose.

Various disclosed embodiments relate to herbal compositions containing Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin—containing botanical extracts, where the compositions are effective in enhancing CNS activity in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and/or reticular formation. In various embodiments, the compositions are effective for enhancing memory, as shown by increased gamma wave activity in the brain, coupled with decreased alpha wave activity. The compositions are also effective for increasing alertness and attention, as shown by decreases in alpha- and beta-activity and increased gamma wave activity in the EEG.

Through animal encephalographic (EEG) studies, the current application demonstrates that Chufa or Tigernut extracts (prepared by extraction of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome) and mangiferin (as pure compound) and mangiferin—containing botanical extracts are strikingly similar in CNS profile to each other. Further, they are surprisingly similar in activity to the known CNS stimulants caffeine, guarana (a caffeine-containing botanical extract of Paullinia cupana), cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine, also known as citicoline, (a nootropic). Chufa extracts are less potent than mangiferin. In a human adult subject, about 4 grams of chufa extract has about the same activity as about 400 mg mangiferin.

The key discoveries presented herein are that Cyperus esculentus extracts and mangiferin have a very similar CNS activating effect (as evidenced by EEG) to each other and to caffeine. However, unlike caffeine, Cyperus esculentus extracts and mangiferin also exhibit a calming, de-stressing activity when ingested. Further, Cyperus esculentus extracts and mangiferin exhibit a plateau effect. Beyond a certain threshold value, an increased intake of these extracts does not give greater CNS stimulation, minimizing abuse potential. Even at high servings or doses Cyperus esculentus extracts and mangiferin exhibit none of the well-known side-effects, e.g., nausea, fast or irregular pulse, irritability, and loss of concentration, caused by excessive doses of caffeine.

Chufa peels have, in the prior art, generally been considered to be a waste product of Chufa processing. However, it has been discovered that a 30% ethanol-water extract of chufa peels, e.g., peels of Chufa tuberous rhizomes, exhibit more potent activating activity than a 30% ethanol-water extract of whole chufa, which in turn has more potent activity than a water extract of whole chufa. Ethanolic, aqueous, and hydroalcoholic extracts of Chufa tuberous rhizomes all, however, exhibit desirable CNS activating activity.

In various embodiments, Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin—containing botanical extracts may be taken as individual active ingredients. Chufa or Tigernut extracts are desirably taken by an adult human in an amount of about 0.1 g/day to about 10 g/day, about 0.5 g/day to about 8 g/day, about 1 g/day to about 5 g/day, or about 1 g/day to about 4 g/day. An adult human in an amount of about 25 mg/day desirably takes Mangiferin-containing botanical extracts to about 5 g/day, about 50 mg/day to about 2 g/day, about 100 mg/day to about 1 g/day, or about 200 mg/day to about 400 mg/day.

Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin-containing botanical extracts have synergistic activity of gamma wave activity in the striatum, and on CNS activity in the hippocampus. The increase in gamma wave activity in the striatum is evidence that the composition increases alertness and attention. The hippocampus belongs to the limbic system and plays an important role in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. Thus, the pattern of changes in CNS activity in the hippocampus suggest that the disclosed Chufa/mangiferin composition has a beneficial effect on memory. Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin-containing botanical extracts are desirably combined in a ratio of between about 0.5:1 and about 30:1, about 1:1 and about 20:1, about 5:1 and about 10:1 and about 7.5:1.

Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin-containing botanical extracts, whether taken separately or together, have a rapid onset of action. Within an hour after oral ingestion, or within 15-20 minutes after buccal mucosal absorption, EEG results show an impact of the extracts on neural activity. The extracts have a long duration of action, of between 3-6 hours. When Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin-containing botanical extracts are combined and ingested together, the duration of action is at least 5 hours, and the effect of the combination on brain wave activity after 5 hours is significantly greater than the effect on brain wave activity of either extract individually 5 hours after ingestion.

Persons who have ingested Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin-containing botanical extracts as disclosed herein, taken individually or together, report that the extracts enhance focus and concentration. Persons who have ingested Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin-containing botanical extracts as disclosed herein, taken individually or together, report that the extracts enhance focus and concentration, improves motivation, and elevates mood, while simultaneously inducing a feeling of calm, reduced anxiety, and reduced stress, tension and nervousness, and reduced impulsivity. Unlike caffeine, even at very high doses the extracts do not produce nervousness, irritability, jitters, lack of concentration, or a fast and irregular pulse.

Chufa or Tigernut extracts and mangiferin-containing botanical extracts as disclosed herein are not bitter, taste pleasant, and are perfectly suited to application in functional foods and beverages. The extracts can be used to reduce or replace caffeine in foods, beverages, and supplements without causing caffeine cravings or withdrawal. As discussed above, the herbal compositions disclosed herein contain a herbal composition comprising:

an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel, Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof;

an effective amount of mangiferin or an extract comprising mangiferin; or

a mixture of an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel or rhizomes and mangiferin or an extract comprising mangiferin.

The claimed compositions may comprise:

-   -   i) from about 10% to about 95% by weight, about 25% to about 90%         by weight, about 40% to about 85% by weight, or about 50% to         about 80% by weight, of an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel,         Cyperus esculentus rhizomes, or a combination thereof; and from         about 5% to about 90% by weight, about 10% to about 75% by         weight, about 15% to about 60% by weight, or about 20% to about         50% by weight of a further ingredient for enhancing mood or         decreasing stress or anxiety;     -   ii) from about 10% to about 95% by weight, about 25% to about         90% by weight, about 40% to about 85% by weight, or about 50% to         about 80% by weight, of mangiferin or an extract comprising         mangiferin; and from about 5% to about 90% by weight, about 10%         to about 75% by weight, about 15% to about 60% by weight, or         about 20% to about 50% by weight of the further ingredient for         enhancing mood or decreasing stress or anxiety; or     -   iii) from about 10% to about 95% by weight, about 25% to about         90% by weight, about 40% to about 85% by weight, or about 50% to         about 80% by weight, of a mixture of         -   a. an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel and/or rhizomes and         -   b. mangiferin or an extract comprising mangiferin; and         -   from about 5% to about 90% by weight, about 10% to about 75%             by weight, about 15% to about 60% by weight, or about 20% to             about 50% by weight of the further ingredient for enhancing             mood or decreasing stress or anxiety.

This further ingredient for enhancing mood or decreasing stress or anxiety is selected from the group consisting of B group vitamins, caffeine, citicoline, citrulline, choline, curcumin, huperzine, luteolin, ibogaine, magnesium, N-methyltyramine, omega-3 fatty acids, octopamine, oleamide, phosphatidlyserine, phosphatidlyserine, quercetin, rutin, resveratrol, synephrine, taurine, taxifoline, theanine, theobromine, xanthohumol, yangonin, yohimbine, ecdysteroids (20HE) extracts of plant species of the genera Aloysia, Alpinia, Astragalus, Bacopa, Centella, Citrus, Coca, Cola, Curcuma, Coffea, Celastrus, Camellia, Eleutherococcus, Ephedra, Euterpe, Garcinia, Ginkgo, Ganoderma, Glycyrrhiza, Icarine, Ilex, Kaempferia, Melissa, Ocimum, Paullinia, Panax, Pfaffia, Piper, Pueraria, Rhodiola, Rhaponticum, Sida, Sideritis, Tabernanthe, Theobroma, Vitis, Withania, Valeriana, Zingiber, Zizyphus, and mixtures thereof.

Mangiferin and Mangifera extracts may be incorporated into an oral dosage form, including an orally dissolvable or dispersible buccal strip, a chewing gum, a tablet, a capsule, an emulsion, a suspension, an oral spray, effervescent, dissolvable granules or powder, a sachet, or a clear beverage. Chufa extracts, alone or in combination with Mangiferin and Mangifera extracts, are typically opaque and milky in beverage form, and may be incorporated into an oral dosage form, including an orally dissolvable or dispersible buccal strip, a chewing gum, a tablet, a capsule, dissolvable granules or powder, a sachet, an emulsion, a suspension, dairy milk, non-dairy milks, yoghurt, and milk-fruit juice combinations.

The compositions disclosed herein may be provided as:

-   -   an orally dissolvable or dispersible buccal strip for mucosal         absorption, a chewing gum, a lozenge, an effervescent tablet, a         capsule, or an emulsion;     -   a functional chocolate, marzipan, or sweetmeat,     -   a functional spread in measured doses in a foil sachet, to be         spread on bread or crackers;     -   a powder with a measuring spoon for addition to any beverage or         food;     -   an oral or nasal spray;     -   a non-dairy creamer in sachet or stick form to add to a         beverage; and     -   a snack-bar, candy, or cookie.

In some embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein are provided as components of edible emulsions, e.g., mayonnaise, egg-free mayonnaise substitutes, Hollandaise sauce, butter, or margarine. Such emulsions may be used as condiments on food or spreads served with bread or crackers. The emulsions may be prepared by:

emulsifying an oil phase in a water phase, and then adding mangiferin, an extract containing mangiferin, a Chufa extract, or a mixture thereof to the resulting oil-in-water emulsion;

emulsifying a water phase in an oil phase, and then adding mangiferin, an extract containing mangiferin, a Chufa extract, or a mixture thereof to the resulting water-in-oil emulsion; or

emulsifying either a water phase in an oil phase or an oil phase in a water phase to produce an emulsion, and then adding mangiferin, an extract containing mangiferin, a Chufa extract, or a mixture thereof to the emulsion.

The compositions disclosed herein may be may be incorporated into an oral dosage form, including an orally dissolvable or dispersible buccal strip, a chewing gum, a tablet, a capsule, an emulsion, a suspension, an oral spray, effervescent, dissolvable granules or powder, a sachet, or a clear beverage.

The compositions disclosed herein may be used for replacing caffeine in foods, beverages, and other products. When caffeine is reduced or removed from coffee, colas, energy drinks, sports drinks, or foods, the resulting product loses the desirable CNS stimulant activity of caffeine. However, it also loses the harmful side effects of caffeine, including nausea, fast or irregular pulse, irritability, and loss of concentration. Removing all or part of the caffeine in a product with an extract of Cyperus esculentus peel and/or rhizomes, mangiferin or an extract comprising mangiferin, or a mixture thereof allows the side effects of caffeine to be removed, while restoring the desired CNS stimulant activity. Chufa extract in an amount of about 200 mg to about 20 grams, about 500 mg to about 15 grams, or about 1 gram to about 8 grams, may be used to replace all or part of the caffeine in a food, beverage or supplement. It is estimated that about 5 grams chufa extract is equivalent to 50 mg caffeine. Similarly, Mangiferin and mangiferin-containing extracts may be used to replace all or part of the caffeine in a food, beverage or supplement. It is estimated that about 100 to about 200 mg mangiferin is equivalent to 50 mg caffeine.

A composition combining Cyperus esculentus extract and Mangiferin in a ratio of between about 20:1 and 1:1 may be used as a caffeine replacement. From about 20 mg to about 200 mg of the Cyperus esculentus extract/Mangiferin combination may be used to replace 1 mg of caffeine. The combined Cyperus esculentus-mangiferin or mangiferin containing plant extract is used in an amount of between 10 mg and 20 g for caffeine substitution or replacement.

The Cyperus esculentus extract/Mangiferin composition in accordance with the invention may be a simple mixture of the two ingredients after the extraction process. The invention may advantageously include additional ingredients with the purpose to further increase the energy boosting effect. Therefore it may be advantageous to add for example an energy-boosting component such as guarana, caffeine, theanine, theobromine, synephrine, ibogaine, yangonin, octopamine, and puerarin to the combined product presented, to enhance the energy-boosting effect provided by the present invention. The same products can also be added to Cyperus esculentus extract or Mangiferin separately.

To improve other aspects of the invention, as for example increasing the effect on mood and well-being, natural products like Ganoderma, Garcinia, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Rhodiola and Astragalus can be combined with the composition. Ingredients enhancing absorption and bioavailability may be added, like Piperin, Capsaicin, Aframomum or Ginger. Natural and artificial sweeteners, and flavors such as coffee, vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate, cream, or fruit flavor, can be integrated. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals may be added. For athletes, adaptogens including Withania and Rhodiola, products improving muscle health and recovery like the amino acids citrulline and phosphatidlyserine, natural nitrate sources including spinach and beetroot, anabolic or anti-catabolic components like ecdysterones and ursolic acid, and antioxidants may be added. Suitable antioxidants include polyphenols with anti-oxidant or xanthin-oxidase inhibitory effects can be added. Representative polyphenols include catechins from Green tea, polyphenols from Cocoa, Resveratrol from grape, Polygonum or Gnetum gnemon seeds, xanthohumol from Humulus lupulus, and luteolin, rutin or quercetin.

The Cyperus esculentus extract/Mangiferin composition may be combined with anti-inflammatories such as Curcuma and Ginger, and/or cognition improving-products such as Ginkgo, citicoline or huperzine. For people with problems of sexual performance, the Cyperus esculentus extract/Mangiferin composition may be combined with an aphrodisiac like icarine, yohimbine, luteolin or Kaempferia species.

The amount of the additional ingredient included in the in the composition of the present invention varies depending on the characteristics of each additional ingredient. The invention can, for example, be combined with an anti-oxidant in a ratio from 1:50 to 50:1.

The composition has a wide range of useful applications for the industry: it can be provided as a caffeine replacement or reducer in a liquid, syrup, or solid (tablet) or pulverized or granulated or gum form or can be incorporated into food products of liquid, solid (tablet), syrup granulated or pulverized consistency. The liquid may be presented in a concentrated form to be diluted by mixing it with teas, caffeine-free coffee, water or milk, juices, yoghurts or smoothies to provide the final consumable liquid low-caffeine or caffeine-free beverage providing the alertness, attention and concentration enhancing benefits typically associated with caffeine. The concentration of the present invention varies depending on the product format, purpose and/or the additional ingredients.

Example 1

Test Subjects: Fisher 344 rats (11 months of age and day-night converted, weight about 350-400 g, provided by Charles River Laboratories, D-97633, Sulzfeld) were used in a series of experiments on the effects of various herbal and pharmaceutical products on central nervous system activity. Products were provided to the test subjects orally (gavage).

Test Substances: The substances tested in this study included:

-   -   A control vehicle (0.9% NaCl);     -   Mangiferin, administered in an amount of 25 mg/kg to 6 rats;     -   Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, ethanol extract,         administered in an amount of 100 mg/kg to 7 rats;     -   Caffeine, administered in an amount of 1 mg/kg to 7 rats;     -   Guarana extract, a caffeine-containing botanical, administered         in an amount of 15 mg/kg to 6 rats;     -   Citicolin, a nootropic with mental energy, attention and memory         enhancing activities, administered in an amount of 48 mg/kg to 8         rats     -   Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome peel, ethanol extract, 150         mg/kg, plus Mango leaf extract, containing 60% of Mangiferin, 50         mg/kg, administered to 5 rats     -   Mango leaf extract, administered in an amount of 25 mg/kg to 8         rats

EEG signals were recorded by telemetry from 4 implanted electrodes in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum of freely moving rats from inside a totally copper shielded room. Signals were collected in sweeps of 4 second duration and Fast Fourier transformed using a Hanning window. EEG signals were recorded over a period starting 5 minutes after administration of the test substances, and ending 65 minutes after administration of the test substances. Sampling frequency was 512 Hz. Spectra were averaged in steps of 3 minutes each and displayed on-line. In an off-line procedure the spectra were averaged to give longer periods for further analysis and data presentation. Spectral activity within the frontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum and reticular formation was recorded. Oral administration of the control vehicle (0.9% NaCl) only resulted in very minor changes of spectral power within the four brain areas.

Through these in vivo animal encephalographic (EEG) studies, it has surprisingly been discovered that Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome extracts, mangiferin, mangiferin—containing botanical extracts and the combination of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome peel extract and mangiferin are not only strikingly similar in CNS profile to each other, but also surprisingly similar to the CNS profiles of reference caffeine, citicolin and Guarana. As shown in FIG. 1, each of these extracts or compounds provides a decrease in spectral power in the in vivo EEG in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum. Such decreases correlate to an activation of neurotransmission. As shown in FIG. 1, the effect of caffeine on the neural activity in the reticular formation is primarily directed to delta, alpha-2, and beta-1 waves (p<0.01, relative to pre-drug baseline), with less effect on the theta and alpha-1 waves (p>0.1). Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome extracts and mangiferin have an impact on delta, alpha-2, and beta-1 waves of the reticular formation which is similar to that of caffeine.

Administration of a mixture of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, 30% ethanol extract, and Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin decreased brain wave activity from delta, theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 waves in the frontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the striatum to roughly the same extent as caffeine in an amount of 1 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg Guarana and 48 mg/kg Citicolin, as shown in FIG. 1

Example 2

Test Subjects:

Fisher 344 rats (11 months of age and day-night converted, weight about 350-400 g, provided by Charles River Laboratories, D-97633, Sulzfeld) were used in further experiments on the effects of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, ethanol extract, and mangiferin on central nervous system activity. Products were provided to the test subjects orally (gavage).

Test Substances:

The substances tested in this study included:

-   -   A control vehicle (0.9% NaCl);     -   Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome peel, 30% ethanol extract,         administered in an amount of 200 mg/kg to 7 rats     -   Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin, administered in an         amount of 50 mg/kg to 6 rats; and     -   a mixture of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome peel, 30%         ethanol extract, in an amount of 150 mg/kg, and Mango leaf         extract containing 60% Mangiferin, in an amount of 50 mg/kg, the         combination being administered to 6 rats.

EEG signals were recorded by telemetry from 4 implanted electrodes in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum of freely moving rats from inside a totally copper shielded room. EEG signals were recorded over:

-   -   a first period, starting 5 minutes after administration of the         test substances, and ending 65 minutes after administration of         the test substances; and     -   a second period, starting 245 minutes (4.1 hours) after         administration of the test substances, and ending 305 minutes         (5.1 hours) after administration of the test substances.

Gamma Waves in the Striatum:

Administration of a saline control had little impact on gamma wave activity in the striatum, as shown in FIG. 2A. Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, 30% ethanol extract, likewise had little impact on gamma wave activity in the striatum, as shown in FIG. 2B. During the first period that the EEG was measured, ending 65 minutes after administration of the test substance, mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin did not increase gamma wave activity in the striatum in a statistically significant manner, as shown in FIG. 2C. Between 4.1 and 5.1 hours after administration of the test substance there was no visible increase in gamma wave activity in the striatum, relative to the pre-drug baseline.

However, when Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, 30% ethanol extract (100 mg/kg), and Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin (25 mg/kg) were combined, there was a very significant (p<0.05!) sizable and synergistic increase in gamma wave activity in the striatum. During the first period that the EEG was measured, ending 65 minutes after administration of the test substance, the Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome ethanol extract/Mango leaf extract combination synergistically increased gamma wave activity in the striatum for a period of at least 5.1 hours. During the first period that the EEG was measured, ending 65 minutes after administration of the test substance, the combination increased gamma wave activity in the striatum significantly (p<0.05), by about 80% relative to the pre-drug baseline, as shown in FIG. 2D. During the second period that the EEG was measured, ending 305 minutes after administration of the test substance, the combination increased gamma wave activity in the striatum significantly (p<0.05), by about 30% relative to the pre-drug baseline. Thus, the combination statistically significantly, and synergistically, increases both the level of gamma wave activity in the striatum, and the duration of the effect on gamma wave activity.

Motion:

Motion of the test subjects was recorded during recording of gamma wave activity in the striatum. The increase of gamma waves can indicate an increase of physical activity, an increase in alertness and attention, or both. The change in motion, measured in cm/hr, was recorded in subjects administered a saline control, and in subjects administered a combination of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, 30% ethanol extract (150 mg/kg), and Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin (50 mg/kg).

Motion in the presence of a mixture Cyperus esculentus peel extract 30% ethanol plus mango leaf extract (60% mangiferin) did not change compared to the vehicle, as shown in Table 1. During the 45 minute time period prior to administration of the test composition, rats administered the saline control and the chufa extract/mango leaf extract composition exhibited no significant difference in activity. Similarly, during a first time period beginning 5 minutes after administration of the saline control and the chufa extract/mango leaf extract composition, and ending 65 minutes after administration, as well as a second time period from about 4 to 5 hours after administration of the test compositions, there was no significant difference in activity between rats administered a saline control and rats administered the chufa extract/mango leaf extract composition. See Table 1. As no increase of physical motion has been demonstrated, this striatal gamma wave activity can be interpreted as an increase of alertness and attention.

TABLE 1 Effects of MIXTURE-TIGERNUT PEEL EXTRACT and MANGO LEAF EXTRACT on motion. Motion [cm/h] Vehicle 0.9% Cyperus esculentus peel NaCl 150 mg/kg + Mango leaf Time 1 ml/kg (60% Mangiferin) [min] n = 8 50 mg/kg n = 5 P −45-0 690.02 ±175 678 ±180 ns  5-65 838.67  ±55 845.49 ±160 ns 245-305 555.48 ±110 722.03 ±155 ns Changes in motion (cm/h) given for various time periods, relative to drug administration at 0 minutes. Mean average values are given ± S.E.M. Statistical comparison to the results with control (Vehicle) were determined using the Wilcoxon, Mann, Whitney U-test (p values are given on the right side, ns = not significant).

Neural Activity in the Frontal Cortex and Hippocampus:

Administration of a saline control had little impact on the neural activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, as shown in FIG. 2A. However, administration of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, 30% ethanol extract, significantly decreased brain wave activity in the frontal cortex. About an hour after administration of the Cyperus esculentus extract, brain wave activity in the frontal cortex from delta-, theta-, alpha-, and beta-waves decreased to, on average, about 60% of the pre-drug baseline, as shown in FIG. 2B. Simultaneously, delta and alpha-2 waves decreased significantly in the hippocampus (p<0.1). After about 5 hours, the effect on delta and alpha-2 waves in the hippocampus was no longer visible, although suppressed activity in the frontal cortex was still present.

Administration of Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin also decreased brain wave activity in the frontal cortex. About an hour after administration of the Mango leaf extract, brain wave activity in both the frontal cortex and the hippocampus from delta, theta, alpha-2, and beta-1 waves decreased noticeably, as shown in FIG. 2C. The decrease in delta and theta wave activity was statistically significant (p<0.05). After about 5 hours, there was no significant change in brain wave activity in the hippocampus or in delta and theta waves in the frontal cortex, relative to the pre-drug baseline, although suppressed activity in alpha and beta waves in the frontal cortex was present.

Administration of a mixture of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome peel, 30% ethanol extract, and Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin decreased brain wave activity in the frontal cortex to roughly the same extent as Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome, 30% ethanol extract, alone. About an hour after administration of combined extracts, brain wave activity in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus from delta, theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, and beta-1 waves decreased significantly (p<0.01), as shown in FIG. 2D. Simultaneously, brain wave activity in the hippocampus from theta, alpha-1, and alpha-2 waves decreased significantly (p<0.05 for alpha-1 and alpha-2 waves; p<0.1 for theta waves). After about 5 hours, there was no significant change in brain wave activity from theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 waves in the frontal cortex, relative to the pre-drug baseline, although suppression of brain wave activity in the hippocampus was present. In the hippocampus, suppression of activity from theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 waves was observed (p<0.05 for alpha-1 waves; p<0.1 for theta, alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 waves). Additionally, relative to the saline control, the Cyperus esculentus alone, and the Mango leaf extract alone, the combination of the Cyperus esculentus and the Mango leaf extract produced a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in gamma wave activity in the frontal cortex.

Synergism is observed in brain wave activity in the hippocampus upon administration of a mixture of Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome peel, 30% ethanol extract, and Mango leaf extract containing 60% Mangiferin. First, neither the Cyperus esculentus extract nor the Mango leaf extract has a statistically significant impact on alpha-1 brain wave activity in the hippocampus, either in the first hour after administration or 5 hours after administration, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. However, the combination of Cyperus esculentus extract and the Mango leaf extract has a statistically significant impact on alpha-1 brain wave activity in the hippocampus, both in the first hour after administration and 5 hours after administration (p<0.05, both 1 hour after administration and 5 hours after administration). Further, neither the Cyperus esculentus extract nor the Mango leaf extract has any statistically significant impact on brain wave activity in the hippocampus 5 hours after administration, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. The combination of Cyperus esculentus extract and the Mango leaf extract has a synergistic, statistically significant impact on alpha-brain wave activity in the hippocampus 5 hours after administration, related to an increase of serotonergic activity. Finally, only the combination of Cyperus esculentus extract and Mango leaf extract provides a statistically significant increase in gamma activity in the frontal cortex.

Example 3: Human Studies

Four Week Study

Four adults participated in a 4 week observational study, taking:

-   -   3 grams of a 30% ethanol extract of Cyperus esculentus tuberous         rhizome, one to two times daily for a week,     -   400 mg of a mango leaf extract containing 284 mg of mangiferin,         taken once daily for a week, and     -   a combination of 3 grams of the Cyperus esculentus tuberous         rhizome extract and 400 mg mango leaf extract, taken once to         twice daily for two weeks.

The subjects made self-reported notes in diaries on side-effects, well-being, mood, concentration, alertness, stress. No side-effects were experienced. All of the subjects noted distinctly improved mood and well-being, and increased alertness, focus, and concentration that lasted from 3 to 5 hours after ingestion of the Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome extract, the mango leaf extract, and the combination of the mango leaf extract and Tigernut extract.

Two Week Study

In a 2-week observational study where 9 adults ingested a combination of 3 grams of the Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome extract and 400 mg mango leaf extract daily over a two week period, none of the side-effects that typically result from high caffeine intake were noted, such as nausea, fast or irregular pulse, irritability, loss of concentration, and jitters.

Addictive Potential

In a study where 6 adults ingested a combination of 3 grams of the Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome extract and 400 mg mango leaf extract daily over a two week period, no signs of addiction or withdrawal were observed. In a similar study where 2 adults ingested a combination of 3 grams of the Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome extract and 400 mg mango leaf extract daily over a two month period, no signs of addiction or withdrawal were observed. Further, daily intake over 2 months did not show any negative side-effects.

Two human subjects ingested larger doses of intake of the Cyperus esculentus tuberous rhizome/mango leaf extract in high doses (up to 20 g/day); increasing the dosage did not increase the observed effect on mood, alertness, focus, and concentration.

Although the various exemplary embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain exemplary aspects thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims.

Example 4: EEG Studies in Humans

A double blind, randomized study was done, whereby participants in a test group received a single dose of the combination product containing 1 g chufa peel extract and 300 mg mangiferin in a Mangifera indica extract. Quantitative-topographical EEG combined with Eye-Tracking was recorded during different cognitive and emotional challenges. A second group (the placebo group) was administered a chufa- and mangiferin-free placebo. The result of this study demonstrated that the combination product, when compared to the placebo, induces changes in human electric brain activity, mainly in alpha2 waves, that can be correlated with enhanced cognitive processes.

As an example, the EEG results for the recording condition “Eyes open”, fixation of a cross, and the Stroop test for attention and concentration are reported (FIG. 3). A comparison of the EEG results for persons administered a combination of chufa peel extract and mangiferin was significantly different from EEG results for persons administered a placebo. The combination of chufa peel extract and mangiferin resulted in a statistically significant increase of alpha2 spectral power at electrode positions Fz and F4 under the recording condition “eyes open” for the test group, when compared to alpha2 spectral power at electrode positions Fz and F4 for the placebo group.

In the Stroop test, an increase of alpha2 waves was observed at frontal, temporal and occipital electrode positions F4, T3 and 01 in persons in the test group, relative to persons in the placebo group. The increase in alpha2 waves at electrode positions F4, T3 and 01 was statistically significant, when compared to corresponding values observed in the placebo group.

Under the recording condition “Fixation on a cross on the screen”, which asks for some concentration, an increase of alpha1 and alpha2 waves was observed at electrode positions T3 and T8, in persons in the test group, relative to persons in the placebo group. The increase in alpha1 and alpha2 waves at positions T3 and T8 was statistically significant, when compared to corresponding values observed in the placebo group.

The elevated alpha waves are interpreted as enhanced attention and processing speed. Improvements were noted in the following psychometric tests group taking the chufa peel extract-mangiferin combination, in comparison to the results for a group taking a placebo: Picture comparison test, Stroop test, Processing Speed, Memory test, Brain Teaser test, and d2-test. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for enhancing at least one of alertness, attention, focus and concentration in a person in need thereof, comprising administering a composition to said person, said composition comprising: a) between 20 mg and 5 g per dose of mangiferin, norathyriol, or an extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol sufficient to provide between 20 mg and 5 g mangiferin or norathyriol per dose, wherein said extract comprising mangiferin or norathyriol is a mangiferin-containing extract of a plant species in a genus selected from the group consisting of Mangifera, Salacia, Cyclopia, Hypericum, Canscora, Fagraea, Gentiana, Hoppea, Swertia, Hypericum, Polygala, Zizyphus, and mixtures thereof; and b) caffeine.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises an artificial sweetener or flavor.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of shakes, smoothies, chocolate, energy-drinks, an edible emulsion, a chocolate, marzipan, sweetmeat, a spread in measured doses in a foil sachet, a non-dairy creamer in sachet or stick form, a snack-bar, a candy, a cookie, a syrup, teas, yoghurts, an orally dissolvable or dispersible buccal strip for mucosal absorption, a chewing gum, a lozenge, an effervescent tablet, a capsule, an oral spray, a nasal spray, effervescent, dissolvable granules or powder, or as a sachet.
 4. A method for enhancing at least one of alertness, attention, focus and concentration in a person in need thereof, comprising administering a composition to said person, said composition comprising: a) from about 10% to about 95% by weight of mangiferin or an extract comprising mangiferin, wherein said extract comprising mangiferin is a mangiferin-containing extract of a plant species in a genus selected from the group consisting of Mangifera, Salacia, Cyclopia, Hypericum, Canscora, Fagraea, Gentiana, Hoppea, Swertia, Hypericum, Polygala, Zizyphus, and mixtures thereof; and b) from about 5% to about 90% by weight of a further ingredient, wherein the further ingredient is caffeine.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the composition comprises from about 25% to about 90% by weight of mangiferin or the extract comprising mangiferin, and from about 10% to about 75% by weight of the further ingredient.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the composition comprises from about 40% to about 85% by weight of mangiferin or the extract comprising mangiferin, and from about 15% to about 60% by weight of the further ingredient.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the composition comprises from about 50% to about 80% by weight of mangiferin or the extract comprising mangiferin, and from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the further ingredient. 